The home fans provided an electric atmosphere from the kick-off, with every Metalist attack greeted by a deafening crescendo of cheers.

Everton were struggling to get a foothold in the game and they nearly went behind early on when Edmar found himself unmarked on the edge of the box and forced a good low save from Tim Howard.

Everton's first real attack came when McFadden surged into the box and fell between two challenges, but seconds after his penalty appeal was turned down, David Moyes' men were behind.

Edmar cleverly exchanged passes with Devic and the Brazilian made no mistake with his second chance of the game, coolly slotting left-footed past Howard.

James McFadden's first-half penalty claim fell on deaf ears

The Toffees needed a reply and they so nearly got one when Pienaar whipped over a superb cross from the left, Leon Osman planting his header straight into Oleksandr Goryainov's arms from point-blank range.

The teams then traded 25-yard shots, McFadden slamming just over before Metalist's Valentyn Sliusar rifled wide at the other end.

Whatever Moyes said during the interval paid immediate dividends as his side wasted no time in getting back on level terms.

Goryainov punched away from Yakubu but Everton pumped the ball back into the box and when Pienaar's shot was deflected into Lescott's path, the defender turned in his fifth goal of the season.

If Metalist were unlucky not to still be ahead, they did not mess around feeling sorry for themselves.

They tore up the other end, Rykun's 20-yard shot cannoned off the inside of the post and Mahdoufi was on hand to belt the rebound home.

Everton were once again staring down the barrel and Moyes crucially threw Anichebe on as they pressed for another equaliser.

McFadden was sent through by Lescott only for Goryainov to save well at his feet, before the lively Pienaar wasted two good openings.